Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the Australian Open trophy after completing the career grand slam (Getty Images)
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic to make history in the Australian Open final as he became the youngest man of all time to complete the career grand slam at the age of 22.
The world No 1 eclipsed Don Budge’s 1938 record by completing the set of four grand slam titles in record time, and now has seven overall after adding his first Australian Open crown to doubles at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.
“It is a dream come true for me,” said Alcaraz. With his 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5 victory, he joins the illustrious list of nine men to win all four major titles, doing so faster than anyone else. “I think the best word to describe it is historic, legendary,” said Djokovic.
In doing so, Alcaraz denied Djokovic a major milestone in a historic final. The Serbian was aiming for the standalone grand slam singles title record of 25, and to become the oldest grand slam winner of all time at 38.
After beating defending champion Jannik Sinner in a five-set epic in the semi-finals, Djokovic was proud of his record-breaking run to the final but could not hide his disappointment as his bid for a 25th grand slam singles title slipped by.
“It’s an incredible achievement for me to be able to play finals, be couple of sets away maybe to win a championship,” he said. “Of course, after a loss, it’s a bitter feeling. But nevertheless I have to be content with this result.”
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Australian Open latest scores and updates Carlos Alcaraz maintains the Alcaraz-Sinner duopoly
Jannik Sinner may not have made the final, but Carlos Alcaraz’s victory over Novak Djokovic means the two best players in the world have now nine grand slam titles in a row between them. At Roland Garros, starting in May, they will look to make that 10.
That would put them only second behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (11 between 2005 and 2007) as the longest streak of grand slam singles title won by a pair.
Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 18:28
Carlos Alcaraz improves grand slam final record to 7-1
Carlos Alcaraz has won seven of his eight grand slam finals, having won his first five before losing to Jannik Sinner in last year’s Wimbledon.
Three of his victories in grand slam finals have come against Novak Djokovic, with two at Wimbledon followed by the Australian Open, the first time Djokovic had lost an Australian Open after 10 wins.
Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 17:58
Carlos Alcaraz reveals what Novak Djokovic told him at the net
“He just told me, ‘congratulations, you deserve it’.
“I just told him, like, it is always a pleasure. It is always a pleasure to share the court with him, even more if it is in a final for a grand Slam. Doesn’t matter if this time I won.
“Every time that I’m able to feel that aura from him on the other side of the net, for me it’s a privilege. It’s an honour, and it is like a masterclass for me to try to learn as much as I can.
“I have huge respect to him as an athlete, as a person, and I’m just really grateful to be able to live experiences on and off the court. That embrace was about respect, I guess.”
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 17:28
Carlos Alcaraz: ‘I am happy to prove everyone wrong’
Carlos Alcaraz said he was happy to prove the doubters wrong after his split from his long-time coach and mentor Juan Carlos Ferrero during the off-season and ahead of the Australian Open.
Alcaraz had won six grand slam titles alongside Ferrero, but made it seven just weeks after their shock split.
”We all know how hard I worked in the preseason to be ready for this tournament,” he said.
“I had too many things to think about during this tournament. Just focus on my game style, focus on myself, being patient.
“That’s all I thought about during this tournament. Once I got it, I’m just happy to prove all the people were wrong.”
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 16:58
Carlos Alcaraz praises Novak Djokovic for his Australian Open run
“What he’s doing is inspiring. It is inspiring for all the athletes.
“What he’s putting his body, his mind, his life into playing a final of a Grand Slam again, people saying that he was not going to play another Grand Slam final or he was not going to beat Jannik or myself.
“Then he comes and playing such great tennis and beating Jannik in the semi-final, and here in the final played such great tennis. So it’s unbelievable what he’s doing.
”If he maintains this level of tennis during the whole season, he’s going to win great things – probably a Master 1000 again. He’s going to come to a Grand Slam final again.
“It depends how physically he is or how demanding physically is the tournament for him, but I think he’s ready to keep winning the big tournaments in the tour.”
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 16:28
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to win Australian Open and complete career grand slam
After the electric comebacks, the magical shot-making, and the passion, belief and smile that had defined his remarkable ascent, this was the moment where Carlos Alcaraz took the step from generational talent to stand in the pantheon of the greatest tennis players of all time. As Novak Djokovic sensed his opportunity to make history, Alcaraz wrote his own: by winning his first Australian Open title, overturning Djokovic to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 and under enormous pressure, Alcaraz becomes the youngest man of all time to complete the career grand slam at 22 years and 272 days.
Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 15:58
Carlos Alcaraz on his next goals after completing career slam at 22
”I hate losing, so that’s my motivation. Trying to lose as less as I can,” Alcaraz says.
”There are some tournaments that I really wanted to win at least once. A few Masters 1000s… I just really wanted to complete all the Masters 1000s.
Obviously the ATP Finals. The Davis Cup is a goal as well. I really wanted to achieve that for my country, for Spain.
“I set up some other goals for the season, and I will try to be ready to get those goals.”
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 15:38
Novak Djokovic identifies his one regret from ‘bitter’ Australian Open final defeat
Novak Djokovic was proud of his record-breaking run to the Australian Open final at the age of 38 but could not hide his disappointment as his bid for a 25th grand slam singles title slipped by in defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic, though, was left to rue a couple of missed opportunities in the fourth set, particularly on break point at 4-4 when he had a look at Alcaraz’s second serve but dumped a forehand return into the net.
Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 15:18
Carlos Alcaraz reveals his next tattoo after winning Australian Open
Carlos Alcaraz revealed he would celebrate winning a first Australian Open title by getting a tattoo of a kangaroo after completing the career grand slam in Melbourne.
The Spaniard has a strawberry to celebrate Wimbledon, an Eiffel Tower to mark his French Open and added the Statue of Liberty in September after winning his second US Open title in New York.
Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 14:58
‘Job finished’: Carlos Alcaraz’s camera message sums up ‘legendary’ career grand slam
Carlos Alcaraz summed up his “legendary” achievement of winning all four grand slam titles to complete the career grand slam by writing “Job finished. 4/4 complete” on the court-side camera.
The 22-year-old become the youngest man to complete the career grand slam after beating Novak Djokovic in four sets to win his first Australian Open title.
Alcaraz is also the youngest man to win seven grand slam singles titles after adding his first Australian Open to two titles at the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 14:38